Joining one of many activity-focused
meet-up groups that operate year-round can help motivate some people to
exercise.

Indoor winter activities depend on
your fitness level and range from a high-energy Zumba class, a leisurely swim at
a local pool or a calming tai chi practise.

Mall walking is also becoming
increasingly popular. At Thomson’s
suggestion, Leanne Wark joined his
walking group in West Edmonton Mall to
keep active in the winter, and to help her
lose weight and control her diabetes. She
found a buddy in the group and they now
work out together three times a week, in
addition to her twice-weekly mall walks.

Five years later, “my doctor is happybecause my diabetes is way down,” Warksays. And she’s lost weight, “slowly, notby dieting—by moving more.”It’s a good idea to build exercise intoyour daily routine. Thomson suggestsincreasing your activity level by takingthe stairs instead of the elevator. Simpleexercises that can be done at home or inthe office include squats, stretches andlunges, or standing up and sitting downseveral times in a row. Exercise appsare easy to use and offer activities fordifferent interests.

Findingwaysto movein winterIt’s a wonderlandfor active living

WRITTEN BY ANNE GEORGIt’s a good idea to build active living into your daily routine, starting at a young age.

Winter isn’t just pretty. It’s also a good
time to get active.

We know that active living enhances
our quality of life. On the other hand,
Kevin Thomson, an exercise specialist
with the Edmonton West Primary Care
Network, says inactivity can worsen
chronic conditions such as diabetes,
joint pain and high cholesterol. It is also
linked, along with a lack of sunlight, to
depression, anxiety and stress, which are
often more acute in winter.

The good news? Winter is a
wonderland for active living.

“I believe in the benefits of going
outside,” Thomson says. He advises
people to dress for the weather and to
warm up indoors before going outside to
walk (careful to avoid ice), shovel snow,
build a snowman, skate, snowshoe or